21 Chapter 21 - There is another option (1/2)

There was a long silence after Lilian's question as we all tried to understand what she meant.

”Ummm, no I don't think so?” Vanessa replied uncertainly. ”I am not completely sure though. He always freaked me out on the few occasions he was around. I heard from some of the others that he is bisexual, but prefers young lesbian girls.”

”That has to be a real surprise for them.” I commented shaking my head.

”How so? Isn't it the best of both worlds?” Lilian asked.

I shook my head. Not for me it wasn't. I'd be pissed to find that under the skirt. ”I am really starting to question your tastes.” I commented.

”How? You know nothing about me?” Lilian asked tilting her head as she looked at me a curious expression on her face.

”She's right.” Vanessa pointed out.

”And I find myself wanting to know less and less about her every moment.” I replied.

”Don't be so judgemental.” Vanessa told me.

”No, be more so, I can eat the fairy if she is annoying you.” Zephiria spoke up.

”I'll be quiet.” Lilian chirped hurriedly.

Vanessa frowned but didn't say anything, obviously she wasn't pleased with me.

With a groan, I got up off the bed and moved to the orb to look at the crops available to me. I needed to see if any of the ones available could handle the cold from the blue grass. I didn't want to plant winter vine around the blue grass in case it wasn't cold enough for it to develop properly. As the information on the plant wasn't specific on how cold it needed to be for the plant to mature I was leary of experimenting and wasting the money. A plant that put off heat would have been welcome, and probably existed, in fact the red grass that used to be available seemed to have that feature.

My mind raced in an almost chaotic fashion as I tried to think of a solution to the issue I was having with the crops.

”Is it even necessary to find a new crop right now?” Zephira asked.

”They will expect me to plant new crops.” I replied.

”Didn't you just give them a valid excuse? They can't see how you planted the crops, or how many tiles are being affected. In fact if you want to save the other plants you should erect a wall, the blue grass isn't fully grown yet. It might get worse and hurt even more plants.” Zephirah told me.

I paused as I considered that, she might be right, I glanced at the time and calculated from when I planted everything. I had another six or so hours before the blue grass was mature.

”Also did you consider the fact that the winter vine has a three day growing time? Are you going to leave the blue grass up the whole time? Harvesting it will remove the source of cold and could stunt the growth of the vine.” Zephirah added.

”When did you know so much?” I asked.

”Not my first rodeo.” Zephirah reminded me. ”I am the dungeon, I get to see everything that happens inside it, even when the control orb is working properly.”

I nodded. It probably wasn't her first time working with these plants. ”Do you have any suggestions?” I asked.

”Work on the plants later, we need to expand the dungeon and to do that you need to understand what is different now that we are an official couple.

Lilian snorted then quickly covered her mouth.

I sighed. ”Anything to add?” I asked the fairy.

She shook her head a look of fear on her face. I glanced at Vanessa to see her clenching her jaws and avoiding my gaze.

”You can talk Lilian, just keep your admiration of my sister to yourself.” I told the fairy.

”That was what was bothering you?” Zephirah asked me curiously.

I shrugged. ”Yeah. I don't care if she likes my sister, but the rest…” I said then stopped feeling uncomfortable just remembering her rant. Despite how attractive she was, I had never thought of Candice in that fashion, until Lilian's little rant. I really didn't need those mental images in my head.

”And here I was thinking you were homophobic.” Zephirah commented.

”No you weren't.” I replied.

”No I wasn't, but Vanessa obviously was.” she pointed out.

I groaned. ”Can we get on with the upgrade and other information I need?” I asked wanting to get away from this subject.

”Don't you think it would be a good idea to reassure your girlfriend, fiance, or whatever you want to call her?” Zephirah asked with a smirk.

”Don't you want to get to work so we are defended?” I retorted.

”Just thinking long term.” Zephriah replied.

I glanced around seeing Vanessa watching me closely, Lilian was staring off into space while drooling a bit, I had a bad feeling she was imagining something perverted about Candice. Then again as long as she kept it to herself it should be fine right?

I looked back to Vanessa meeting her gaze. ”I am not bisexual, at all, had a few guys in college hit on me, I didn't like it. If others like it it's fine. Knowing the fake Candice is a male is going to creep me out when he gives me that hungry lust filled gaze he thinks Candice must use on me.” I said then shivered at the thought.

Vanessa nodded in thought. ”And your thoughts on women together?” Vanessa asked.

”Same as most men.” I replied with a shrug. ”The idea is hot, participating would be better.”

Vanessa seemed to relax which made me wonder about her own interests. She flirted with me plenty so I wasn't worried she was a girls only kind of girl.

I shook my head to clear it. I didn't need to get onto that train of thought. Vanessa by herself was already distracting enough, Vanessa with other women...No I had work I needed to get done!

”So?” I asked Zephirah as I tried to concentrate on work.

Zephirah gave me mischievous smirk but didn't comment. I got the feeling she wanted to get the work done too, despite how much fun teasing me would be.

”Alright. I told you earlier that the control orb caused a lot of my power to be wasted so the company had more control over you.” she told me.

I nodded.

”Well what that means is our dungeon is supposed to be larger than it is. How should I explain?” she said to herself looking thoughtful.